Local

SAN BERNARDINO, CA— On Sunday, June 25, 2023, Fred Louis Person Sr., celebrated his 100th birthday. Person was born Monday, June 25,1923. He was the youngest of eight children (four sisters and three brothers).

Mr. Fred Person is a WWII Veteran who served in England during the war. In 1943, his battalion, the 452nd Air Battalion, was sent to Cheltenham, England. This base was the central location for all the Western Europe supplies, under the command of General Eisenhower. He served in the army for two years, nine months, and 22 days in addition to serving in the California National Guard for three years. He was also employed for 40 years at Norton Air Force Base as a Quality Control Inspector. In addition to his military career, Person worked at the Sun Company as a security officer for 28 years.

Person Sr., moved to San Bernardino in 1940 where he then married his wife Vermont whom he has been married to for 70 years. Together they raised three children and have nine grandchildren and eight great grandchildren.

Fred enjoys a variety of hobbies, which include: Ping Pong, Horse Shoes’, playing pool, trips to Las Vegas, 500 Rummy (card game), BBQing (his family states that his BBQ cannot be beat!), and last but not least, he is and has always been a die-hard Dodger fan.

Mr. Person is the oldest member of New Hope Missionary Baptist Church of San Bernardino. When asked what the secret to longevity is his answer was, “Work hard and take care of the family”.

SAN BERNARDINO, CA—- The San Bernardino City Unified School District is ensuring that children ages 0–18 have access to nutritious meals throughout the summer break. With the implementation of a seamless summer meals program, the district aims to address summer nutrition insecurity.

SBCUSD’s summer meals program provides free breakfast and lunch at three locations in San Bernardino. The program is open to all children, regardless of their enrollment or socioeconomic status, and no application is needed. Meals must be eaten on-site, and adults cannot eat with children.

The program supports children’s health, well-being, and development during the summer months, and it also eases the financial burden on families and ensures that no child goes hungry, said Director of Nutrition Services Adriane Robles.

“San Bernardino City Unified’s summer meals program demonstrates our commitment to the overall welfare of students by providing nutritious meals to children during the summer break,” Robles said.

Summer Meal Locations

SAN BERNARDINO, CA—- The San Bernardino Symphony Orchestra, led by Music Director and Conductor Anthony Parnther, will present their second annual evening of music under the stars Saturday, July 1, on the San Bernardino Valley College football field. Repertoire includes a wide variety of musical genres and will culminate in Tchaikovsky’s bombastic 1812 Overture and Sousa’s Stars and Stripes Forever performed to a dazzling fireworks display!

Explained Maestro Parnther, “After last summer’s electrifying response to a taste of opera, we decided to expand on that this year and invite the colossal vocal talents of Jennifer Lindsay, Orson Van Gay II, and by popular demand, the return of Ashley Faatoalia. So in addition to our patriotic fare, we’ll explore the best in opera, including that of Gershwin, Bizet, Massenet, Gounod, Verdi, and Puccini. I’m also excited to invite the brilliant duo of Jamie Carganilla and Drew Tablak as they perform some of my personal favorite Broadway hits from iconic productions like Chorus Line, Wicked, Sweeney Todd, Les Miserables, and Moulin Rouge.”

Attendees are encouraged to arrive early with their picnic baskets or visit one of the many food trucks that will be on campus for Valley College’s free SUMMERFEST event which begins at 5:30 p.m. SUMMERFEST will feature campus tours, information booths, and family activities.

The concert begins promptly at 7:30 p.m. Both assigned table seating and general admission lawn/bleacher seating are available for purchase. Children under age 12 are free, as is parking campus wide.

“San Bernardino Valley College is thrilled to host the highly anticipated ‘America, the Beautiful’ event, presented by the renowned San Bernardino Symphony once again,” said Diana Z. Rodriguez, Chancellor of the San Bernardino Community College District. “I extend a heartfelt invitation to our esteemed alumni, beloved families, and passionate music lovers to join us for an enchanting summer evening under the stars. Prepare to be captivated by the beautiful melodies of a live orchestra and make new memories that will last a lifetime.”

Tickets and Location Details

Assigned Table Seating at tables of eight is available at $30-$100 per seat. General Admission grass/bleacher seating is also available at $10 per person (don’t forget your lawn chairs and blankets!) Tickets may be purchased online at www.sanbernardinosymphony.org or by phone at (909) 381-5388 Monday through Friday. Children under 12 are free and do not need a ticket.

San Bernardino Valley College is located at 701 S. Mt. Vernon Avenue, San Bernardino. The football field is located on the south side of campus.

By Joe Bowers and Edward Henderson | California Black Media

Mayor London Breed has been adamant in defense of her policy to arrest and detain drug users to get them into treatment programs.

Breed has directed the San Francisco Police Department to use public intoxication laws to make these arrests. So far, officers have cited or arrested 38 people under the “Intoxication Detention Program.”

Tensions flared over Breed’s policies during a Board of Supervisors’ meeting on June 13.

“Here we go, another White man talking about Black and Brown people as if you’re the savior of these people,” Breed told Supervisor Dean Preston, a frequent critic of both the mayor and police.

Preston interrogated the mayor on her plans to open wellness hubs for overdose prevention, as well as the recent drug-related arrests. Preston quoted from a Department of Public Health report that discouraged “punitive policies” and noted that Black, Brown, and Indigenous communities have long been targeted by drug crackdowns.

“The fact is, it’s not just services; it’s also force,” Breed responded, using the example of a friend who had entered treatment after an arrest. “You can quote all these statistics all you want, but at the end of the day, you’ve never lived in it.

SAN BERNARDINO, CA— Omnitrans is pleased to welcome Micah May as the agency’s new Director of Information Technology (IT).

As leader of the IT Department, May will oversee agency network systems infrastructure, cybersecurity, emerging technology, and business continuity while managing the agency IT team.

“Micah’s public sector experience, along with his performance optimization skill set, will be invaluable as we seek innovative technology to enhance service,” said CEO/General Manager Erin Rogers.

“I am looking forward to working with the IT team to strengthen and develop systems that benefit internal and external Omnitrans customers,” said May.

Prior to Omnitrans, May served as Deputy Court Executive Office – Technology CIO for the Superior Court of California County of San Bernardino and Assistant Deputy Court Executive Officer for the Superior Court of California County of Riverside. May is a graduate of American Intercontinental University, and currently is working toward his Master of Business Administration degree from West Texas A & M University.

SACRAMENTO, CA— On California Nonprofits Day, Assemblymember Sabrina Cervantes (D-Riverside) honors the Adrian Dell and Carmen Roberts Foundation as the 2023 California Nonprofit of the Year for Assembly District 58.

“For many years, the Adrian Dell and Carmen Roberts Foundation has worked tirelessly to create opportunities, foster empowerment, build unity, and promote equity within our Inland Empire communities,” said Assemblymember Cervantes. “The Adrian Dell and Carmen Roberts Foundation has been a pillar of our region and it is a great honor to name them as California Nonprofit of the Year for Assembly District 58!”

“The Adrian Dell and Carmen Roberts Foundation is committed to providing the Riverside community’s diverse population with cultural-based programs, provide unique, stimulating, and thought-provoking cultural presentations to awaken and inform our community of the future, while reflecting on our past. We are extremely grateful, deeply humbled, and appreciative for this great opportunity to be recognized by Assemblymember Sabrina Cervantes as a nonprofit of the year,” said Adrian “Dell” and Carmen Roberts.

The Adrian Dell & Carmen Roberts Foundation (ADCR Foundation) consists of dedicated volunteers focused on empowering Riverside County residents through cultural activities, education, and economic development. ADCR Foundation showcases Riverside County’s rich cultural diversity with colorful, inspiring, and authentic cultural activities throughout the year. Notably, the Foundation has successfully organized and coordinated one of the longest-running Black History Month Parades in California. Other activities include the Black History Month Expo, Backpack Giveaway, and the Empowering Young Women’s Conference. The Adrian Dell & Carmen Roberts Foundation is committed to “bringing communities and opportunities together,” rewarding academic achievement and excellence with scholarships, and nurturing an awareness of “giving back to the community” within today’s youth.

Learn more at adcrfoundation.org.

REDLANDS, CA— Retiring Redlands Police Chief Chris Catren was honored by the city last week, recognizing his 28-year career with the department. At the event, he was joined by new Chief Rachel Tolber, another department veteran with 25 years of service to the residents of Redlands.

Chief Tolber is the first female police chief in the city’s history. “I am truly humbled and honored to be selected to lead the men and women of the RPD in our service of such an incredible community,” she said in a statement published by the Redlands Daily Facts. You can read more about Redlands’ new police chief here and here.

LOMA LINDA, CA— Two sets of twins from the Inland Empire are now doctors after graduating from Loma Linda University (LLU.)

Twin sisters Lauren and Karen Bathan grew up in Loma Linda. Their parents are also LLU alums: their mother, a nurse practitioner, and their father, a physical therapy assistant. “Although our parents first influenced us to have a healthcare career, we decided to become doctors to lead patient care,” Lauren said.

Similarly, twin brothers Christopher and Luis Chan attended LLU School of Pharmacy after graduating from the University of California, Riverside with a Bachelor of Science degree in biology.

Originally from Chino, they are the first in their family to attend college. “We knew in high school we wanted to become doctors,” Luis said. “After volunteering at Pomona Valley Medical Center in college, we knew pharmacy was the right career path for us.”

Thanks to Loma Linda University Health for providing this inspiring story. Read more about the Bathan and Chan twins here.

FONTANA, CA—- No topic is more important than the health, safety, and well-being of a loved one, but especially a loved one with a special need. A variety of health and safety information along with valuable resources will be available at the Legacy Bridges Foundation, Inc. 1st Annual Bridging the Gap: Safety Symposium & Expo on Saturday, June 24, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Entrepreneur High School located at 7775 Sierra Avenue in Fontana. Sponsors for the event include Jazz Pharmaceuticals, Neurelis, Inland Empire Health Plan (IEHP), American Medical Response (AMR), and A. Upland Fire Protection.

“The goal of our first annual Safety Symposium is to bring together medical and subject matter professionals to share and demonstrate the latest safety advancements and trends to better serve our communities,” said Executive Director Melanee Stovall. “The event will feature a wide variety of speakers and professionals from first responders American Medical Response Team, San Bernardino County Sheriff Department, Neurologist and Behavioral Interventionist; with the aim of disseminating safety practices to protect our family members in an emergency situation,” she added.

“This is a unique opportunity to bridge the gap in a fun, interactive and sensory focused space,” said Volunteer Director Melody Solomon. “This event is FREE and open to the public, as all are welcome. The first 50 people will be entered into a raffle for awesome prizes. There will be face painting, balloon artists, refreshments, giveaways and much more. This is an event you do not want to miss,” she added.

The Legacy Bridges Foundation, Inc. (LBF) is a California 501(c)3 nonprofit public benefit corporation founded to support individuals and families living with epilepsy and other seizure related disorders. LBF’s mission is to raise awareness of the disease of epilepsy and other seizure related disorders, shine a light for those individuals and families affected, and partner with other organizations to find a cure.

According to the Epilepsy Foundation, “epilepsy affects 1 out of every 26 individuals; 3.4 million people nationwide, more than 65 million people globally, and 150,000 new cases are diagnosed in the United States each year.”

For more information or to volunteer, call (951)374-0933 or email us at admin@legacybridgesfoundation.org.

To make a monetary contribution today, visit www.givebutter.com/LegacyBridgesFoundation-Donations. Support the foundation’s mission to raise awareness, shine a light and partner to find a cure. All contributions are fully tax-deductible to the extent of the law.

By Edward Henderson| California Black Media 

Last week, a new report based on census data was released showing the impact of California’s high cost of living on people who earn the lowest incomes in the state.

According to census data, 45.5% of homes in California are occupied by renters, second only to New York at 49.7%. Nationwide, the rate of renter-occupied housing units is 36.9%, the highest it’s been since 1970.

United Ways of California uses data such as the costs of food, health care, childcare, transportation and other basic needs to compile its “Real Cost Measures of Living in California” report.

According to the study, African American and Latino household seem to be struggling the most.

51% of Latino households fall below the Real Cost Measure compared to 45% of African American households, 30% of Asian American households, and 23% of White households.

Factors contributing to California’s high renting percentage are housing prices and having a larger immigrant community that the rest of the United States.

Last week, some California lawmakers held a rally to raise awareness about a proposed  amendment, authored by Assemblymembers Isaac Bryan (D-Los Angeles) and Ash Kalra (D-San Jose), that would make adequate housing a constitutional right.